the U.S. diplomacy has a modest goal: to prevent López’s death. Shannon told Cabello the continuance of the dialogue between the two governments depended on López remaining alive and being convinced to end his hunger strike, sources said.

There is no reason to doubt "sources" since the story is believable, the more so that Mr. Diehl is generally well informed. The point is that what I wrote on June 15 seems to be becoming the vox populi. Demanding a grand inquiry on Shannon, or claiming that he was cornered, "surprised", by a wily Cabello is not holding. The meeting took place because it was sought. I used the term realpolitik and this one is reprised everywhere, and not only in Diehl's note. Not that I was the first one to use it, simply it is the term to be used by anyone with a minimum of knowledge on how the world works. Unfortunately.

The fact of the matter is that Venezuela is a problem big enough that negotiations are a must because the alternative, not negotiating and waiting to see what happens is even worse. And the only party one can negotiate with are those in office. The opposition is offering a pitiful spectacle as it is even unable to offer a unified front to save Leopoldo Lopez from the consequences of his hunger strike. True, the hunger strike has damaged the regime greatly and forced outside countries to demand more from the regime than lip service. But on the other hand the opposition has revealed itself to be unable to present even a coherent group to negotiate. Even if the US and the regime and Brazil wanted to include the MUD in the negotiation, who would they include?

And so it goes while the epic of Leopoldo Lopez unfolds toward a not necessarily positive ending. So many are aware of that that voices are coming from many Venezuelan sectors to beg him to stop his strike. Because his sacrifice would be useless? Because so many could not care less?

Finally I would be remiss not to mention that among some folks the fate of Lopez is in the hands of Fidel's followers who feel betrayed by Raul and what not. Refusing to budge on the Leopoldo affair they are willing to let it go to the bitter end if it helps them in their fight against the US and Diosdado Cabello negotiating with the US. Whether this is true is not the point, the point is that being able to entertain such thoughts is a terrible confirmation on how degraded Venezuela and chavismo have become, that political prisoners fate is decided elsewhere...

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